Château de Chenonceau: reviews, price and Exclusive Promo Code

+27
recos
4.7/5 6 reviews
Adult ticket from $19*
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Château de Chenonceau
La labyrinthe
Le Cher

Visiting the Château de Chenonceau, the Ladies' Castle

A true Renaissance masterpiece and a UNESCO World Heritage site, the Château de Chenonceau, nicknamed the Ladies' Castle, remains the second most visited Loire Valley castle and welcomes nearly 900,000 visitors annually.

Crown Jewels

You will be struck by the Tour des Marques, a magnificent medieval keep, along with the Logis, an elegant double gallery built directly over the waters of the Cher river. Home to an impressive collection of tapestries, period furniture, and master paintings, the interior is defined by the meticulous care taken in its daily presentation. Each day, fresh flowers from the adjacent vegetable garden are arranged throughout the rooms. Families will appreciate the donkey farm and the apiary on site.

Five Centuries of History

It was King Francis I who commissioned this majestic stone structure over 500 years ago, overseen by a local architect from Tours named Katherine Briçonnet. Later, Henri II gifted the estate to his mistress Diane de Poitiers, before his widow, Catherine de Medici, took up residence. These women left their mark on the property, balancing comfort, beauty, and French refinement. Owned by Senator Gaston Menier during World War I, the castle served as a temporary military hospital where more than 2,000 wounded soldiers were treated.

Remarkable Gardens

Benefiting from a temperate climate, the estate features remarkable gardens divided into six distinct areas. These include a water-side parterre spanning 12,000 square meters featuring an impressive labyrinth, more intimate Italian and English-style parks, and a tribute to Russell Page, who inspired sculptor François-Xavier Lalanne. The floral vegetable garden provides the fresh blooms used for the daily arrangements that make the Château feel as if it is still actively lived in.

Designed to be family-friendly, the estate offers a dedicated picnic area for visitors to enjoy the grounds during pleasant weather. Strollers are also available at the entrance of the property.

Adult ticket from $19*Booking recommended
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AVYGEO7-7%
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Opening hours

Open daily according to the following schedule: October to February: 9:30 AM to 5:00 PM March to May, and September: 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM June to August: 9:00 AM to 7:00 PM
Hours are indicative and subject to change

*Information subject to change

Reviews of Château de Chenonceau

Add my review
Summary of 6 reviews
4.7/5
Average rating
+27
Total recommendations

Ratings by visit type

With family
4.5
As a couple
4.8
With friends
4.4

Avygeo ranking

#72
in the world
#68
in Europe
#41
in France
#1
in Chenonceau

A pocket of romance

For me, this is the Loire Valley castle that stays with you the most. It is also the most romantic! Recognizable by its magnificent arches over the water, Chenonceau can be visited fairly quickly and houses sumptuous rooms like the grand gallery and the chapel. The floral decoration is very well cared for. The park also offers some beautiful walks. Plan on a half day to visit everything at a leisurely pace.

4
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I wish I could have lived there!

Unlike Chambord, the Château de Chenonceau gives much more of an impression of a place where people lived, making the visit all the more enjoyable. Even before going, I thought it was the most beautiful of the Loire Valley castles. Well, that was confirmed once I was there. If you are lucky enough to go on a sunny day, you will see the arches reflected in the water of the Cher. A real marvel!

3
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Unique architecture

Because it was built in several stages, the Château de Chenonceau has an original architecture that sets it apart from the other castles in the Loire Valley. It is set in a truly magnificent location, with the Cher river flowing right underneath it. I found the gardens to be superb and perfectly maintained. It is very pleasant to walk around them.

2
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A really well-done mix

Unlike other castles, the construction across several periods, with different styles, is very visible. It could have been a mess, but I think it gives this castle a lot of character. In any case, it is immediately recognizable.

A word also on the gardens, which are splendid.

2
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A bit of a mixed bag, but historic

A castle built in several stages, with a mix of architectures that lacks a bit of harmony for my taste. Even so, for what it represents and what it contains historically, it is worth a visit.

3
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Beautiful gardens and lovely rooms

A beautiful setting for this castle, with lovely gardens and a river, the Cher, which flows under a gallery of the Château (which is said to be inspired by the Ponte Vecchio in Florence, the home region of the Medici family). My daughter loved playing in the maze.

Inside the castle itself, you can access many rooms and bedrooms, with period furniture and tapestries. For history buffs, I recommend the gallery, where a lot of information is on display about the history of Chenonceau, and of France as well.

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